Tag Archives: memory

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Well, at least here in the states. A truly American Holiday and although it has a shady origin, I think it’s found it’s way to what it should truly represent. And although I know a lot of people get stuck on the history of this day, and don’t celebrate or refuse to acknowledge the holiday, to me, its something else.

It’s the doorway to Christmas, Hanukkah and Yule. It kicks off the winter holidays with the most important thing about all of these holidays. It is about gratitude. For everything we are, everything we have and everyone we love. Whatever happened those oh so many years ago, Thanksgiving is now about what we have and how we give thanks. It’s about fighting with your siblings over a football game or something as equally benign. Or helping your mom make dinner, even when she tries to give you directions for something you’ve been doing for 30 years. Or remembering you last Thanksgiving with your dad and how he ate an entire pie over the weekend and stole all the Turkey when everyone else wasn’t looking. It’s about sharing what you have with those that have nothing. It’s about giving your time or your money or your food to someone who needs it.

Thanksgiving is more then a moment in the 17th century, it’s about what happens everyday and being reminded of how much we have and realizing that we are blessed. Whether it’s to celebrate a birthday or a miracle of lights or the impending winter, this truly American holiday is the opportunity to celebrate with our fellow Americans about our prosperity and large or small as it may be and to share that joy and all it’s blessings with those that need it. I’m not saying you have to work with the homeless or serve turkey dinner at a Soup Kitchen, but maybe you have a friend who doesn’t have much, or you have a neighbor who needs a friend. A small kindness can go a long way.

Tuesday at the market, I went to pull into my space and there was a cart left there, so I didn’t fit. I didn’t get mad, I just got out of my car to move it, but before I could, the woman next to me said “I’ll get it.” and smiled at me. She grabbed the cart and waved to me again. She didn’t have to, but she chose to. A small kindness. In the store, I went out of my way to smile and engage people. There was no hurry, no rush. One smile can lead to another and then another and then another.

My wish for this Thanksgiving it that we all share our joy with one another. Enjoy the moments with the people you love. Share your love with people you don’t know and give of yourself to someone who needs it. The world is a truly lovely place when we all give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone 🙂